Owners: Public Health Grades Good for Business

Sal Calce, owner of Sal’s Pizzeria on Bainbridge Avenue in Norwood, beamed as he talked about how his restaurant, which has called this neighborhood home for the past 31 years, earned an “A” grade during its last inspection by the Health Department. According to a new policy put in place last summer, all city restaurants are required to post their health inspection grades on their storefronts.

Imperiled Cemetery Workers Say They Have Tapes

Woodlawn workers and supporters rallied to save their jobs two years ago after several cemetery employees accused management of racial discrimination. Now four workers have filed a lawsuit against the cemetery.. (Photo by David Greene)

Defiant Woodlawn Cemetery workers and their supporters recently held a boisterous rally to protest the outsourcing of 23 of the cemetery’s 38 caretaker jobs. Cemetery officials say the outsourcing is a necessary cost-cutting move, but workers claim it’s payback for publicizing their concerns about discriminatory practices among supervisors. Now, in an attempt to save their jobs, workers are exploring all options, including legal action and the possible airing of tapes that they say expose discriminatory practices among cemetery supervisors.

Suspects Sought in Bainbridge Ave. Shooting

Police say the two young men shown in this still video footage may have been involved in the shooting of a 16-year-old on Dec. 26. (Photo provided by NYPD)

Police are still searching for two suspects they say were involved in the post-Christmas shooting of a 16-year-old boy. The unnamed victim, a Hispanic male, was shot once in the upper leg during a dispute with two other young men at the corner of Bainbridge Avenue and East 212th Street, in the early morning hours of Dec. 26. The injured boy was removed to Montefiore Hospital and remains in stable condition, according to a spokesman for the NYPD.

Assembly to Consider Rent Reform Bill

A package of legislation that would strengthen housing laws in favor of tenants was introduced in the State Assembly last week. Though it has the support of several Bronx Assembly members, including Jeff Dinowitz, the bill will likely face an uphill battle in the now Republican-controlled State Senate.

Bronx BP vs. ‘Idol’

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., blasted producers of a recent episode of “American Idol” for portraying the borough in a bad light and ignoring all the positive changes in Boogie Down over the past few decades.

City Launches ‘Proactive’ Housing Initiative

Mayor Michael Bloomberg launched a new housing initiative this month largely inspired by the plight of the Milbank properties — the 10 neglected northwest Bronx apartment buildings that have fallen apart since foreclosure began two years ago.

Be Healthy Tips: Staying Fit in Winter Weather

Exercise during the winter months is hard—nothing makes parking yourself inside on the couch all day more appealing than when it’s freezing outside. But weeks of inactivity can often mean weight gain and have other negative health consequences.

Local Health Leader Remembered

Dr. Robert Massad (at lectern) speaking at an event with former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo (seated, front row, left) in 1991. (Photo courtesy Montefiore Medical Center)

The local health community lost a pioneer this year with the passing of Dr. Robert Massad, founding chair of the Departments of Family Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center and the Dr. Robert Massad (at lectern) speaking at an event with former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo (seated, front row, left) in 1991. (Photo courtesy Montefiore Medical Center)Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who died this past August. He was 75 years old.

Another Break-in at Saint Ann’s

Local Catholic school St. Ann’s, on Bainbridge Avenue and East Gun Hill Road, was burglarized last Friday or Saturday in the second robbery to take place there in the last two months. In November, a thief broke into the parish building connected to the school and made off with cash, school officials said. “The first time, they didn’t get into the school proper, but this time they did,” said principal Cecile Rodriguez.